Tour Summary

Are you a lover of literary and if the answer is yes, we have the tour just for you.

Boutique Tours & Travel invites you to attend the 16th Shanghai International Literary Festival. This annual literary feast is a glorious mix of writers from around the world including novelists, food writers, journalists, intellectuals, historians and travel writers.

Our Tour includes

The cosmopolitan Shanghai which was referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’ during colonial times and is now a stunning, vibrant and stylish modern city.

We journey to Xian and visit the amazing Terracotta Warriors. And discover one of the ancient capitals.

We also travel to Hangzhou, the picturesque West Lake area of China is considered to be the most beautiful city in China.

(Optional tour to Beijing available 26th - 30th March)

We indulge in a variety of cuisine, culture, gardens, and shopping experiences. So gather a couple of friends or three, maybe a group of friends or as a solo traveller and join us and share our passion on this amazing vibrant city of Shanghai.

The M Literary Festival has been running for 16 years, with the launch of the Shanghai International Literary Festival in 2003. Organised by and hosted at M on the Bund, the Shanghai Festival has grown from small beginnings into one of China’s leading English-language literary events.
The Festival has attracted many local and regional authors as well as others from well over 20 countries around the world. The festivals aim to bring together the best in fiction, literary non-fiction, journalism, the arts, poetry, current affairs, film, exploration and travel writing, economics and history, health and philosophy, food, wine and cookery and children’s writing, too.
Activities include interviews and readings, poetry slams and film screenings, panel discussions and writing workshops, sessions on photography, art and poetry. The festival features both acclaimed and emerging writers and include winners of the world's leading literary prizes, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the Man Booker Prize, the National Book Award for Fiction, the Miles Franklin Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize and many others. To date we have hosted over 1000 writers.
The festival is entirely not-for-profit and we rely on the generous contribution of our sponsors and partners to help underwrite the substantial costs involved and to make it possible.

Festival Objectives:
The festivals offer the residents of Shanghai and Beijing the opportunity to celebrate writers and their writing, with the following objectives:
• Foster a love of reading and discussion, debate and exchange of ideas
• Promote the careers of emerging writers.
• Support and encourage the translation of Chinese literature into other languages, and visa versa
• Provide a focal point for the initiation of public- and private-sector- sponsored programs to develop writing in China.

Festival Achievements
• Participation by “big name” authors has given the M Literary Festival a reputation for excellence
• Support of emerging and established authors such as Timothy Garton Ash, Gore Vidal, Guo Xiaolu, Anna Funder, Thomas Keneally, Mohammed Hanif, H M Naqvi, Harold McGee, Christopher Doyle, William Dalrymple, Benjamin Law, Etgar Keret, David Grossman, Pankaj Mishra, Amitav Ghosh, Emma Donoghue, Matt Groenig (The Simpsons), Peter Hessler, Claire Keegan, Chris Patten, David Pilling, Arundhati Roy and others.
• Extensive media coverage of the M Literary Festival, its authors and its sponsors in the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune, the Economist and the Sydney Morning Herald, the United States’ National Public Radio, and it has been the subject of an Australian Broadcasting Corporation documentary. Media coverage in China includes English- language, as well as some Chinese language coverage, with the M Literary Festival dominating English-language media during the festivals.
• An international community of support has been built between leading consulates, local businesses, international and local arts organisations and international schools who sponsor M Literary Festival authors in both cities.
• Through the consulates and councils, festival authors also speak to students at major universities such as Jiaotong, Fudan and Tongji Universities.
• Commercial publishers use the M Literary Festival to launch books. Past launches have included Penguin’s English-language edition of Jiang Rong’s Wolf Totem, Art Deco Shanghai by Deke Erh and Tess Johnston, Operation Yao Ming by Brook Larmer, national launch of Age of Ambition by Evan Osnos, Bending Adversity national launch by FT editor David Pilling and the national launch of Not Quite a Diplomat by Chris Patten.

Country Information

Country Information

Accommodation:

We offer you the choice of either 5 or 4 star hotel accommodation for this Golden Triangle Tour. We highly recommend all our hotels as they have excellent services and facilities. All rooms have modern facilities, private bathrooms with double or two twin beds.

Climate & Clothing:

The best time to travel to Shanghai is in spring and autumn; March to May and mid August to November. The majority of rain falls in the summer months, whilst the coldest period is January to February.

The general rule is to bring comfortable clothing including lightweight cottons for the warmer months and warmer clothing for the cooler months. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as is a light waterproof jacket. We provide a detailed packing list to all our guests prior to departure.

Currency & Money Matters:

Chinese currency is known as RENMINBI (RMB) and the basic unit is the YUAN (made up 100 Fen). It is similar to the Australian system where $1=100cents. The current exchange rate is approximately $1.00 = 6.5.00 yuan. We recommend that you take a combination of cash, credit cards and travellers’ cheques. Major foreign credit cards are acceptable in designated shops, hotels and large restaurants.

Electricity:

The electrical current in China is 220 volts AC. 50Hz. There are about four electric plug types with the most common plug being a two narrow pin type A, type C, type I.

Insurance:

You must be comprehensively insured as a condition of travelling with Boutique Travel & Tours. We recommend that you purchase insurance at the time of Booking. Boutique Tours & Travel is able to arrange your Insurance.

Language:

The official Chinese language is Mandarin (or Putonghua). There are also numerous dialects spoken.

Meals:

Our hotels offer a wonderful selection of dishes at their buffet breakfasts and we offer a wide variety of both menu and venue for lunches and evening meals.

Medical Services & Facilities:

All our hotels have access to a doctor if required. They can also assist guests with purchasing of medicine. The international hospitals in Shanghai are excellent and have western trained medical and surgical specialists. Excellent dental care is also available.

Passports & Visas:

To enter China you require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry and with at least two blank pages. A visa is required for most guests and will be organised prior to departure.

Solo Traveller:

We welcome single travellers and we are able to arrange single accommodation. We negotiate strongly to keep single supplements at a reasonable cost. If you wish to share a room, we will endeavour to match you with another single guest and adjust the costs accordingly and refund any costs after you return home. We accept no responsibility for the suitability of a room partner.

Special Requests:

Specific requests such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking or non-smoking rooms and special dietary needs or any other arrangement should be advised at time of booking. Please note that every effort will be made to secure your special request; however, they cannot always be guaranteed.

Time Zone:

Despite the size of the country, China is standard time throughout China. GMT +8.

Tipping:

We know that some of our guests are not familiar with tipping customs, so any gratuities ( eg to waiters, guides, drivers etc) are taken care of as part of your fee. If you wish to Tip individually you are able to.

Transport:

We use modern luxury and deluxe minibuses. These are spacious, comfortable, well maintained safe vehicles. We also walk where and when it’s suitable.

Water & Beverages:

Our hotels offer bottled water, and soft drinks. Bottled water is provided everyday on tour. Chinese tea is available with most meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost of this tour except for ’welcome cocktails’ on the second evening.

VIP Moments

Full Itinerary

Ni hao & welcome to Shanghai; China’s most exciting and vibrant cosmopolitan city. You will be met by your tour director and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have free time to explore Shanghai. Your tour director is able to offer you a number of options including shopping and or dinning.

DAY 2: Friday 15th March 2019: Shanghai: (B)

This morning we take a private tour of a local Hutong. We will then be joined by a famous Shanghai historian for a escorted history tour of the Bund. (TBC) The Bund is famous for its various buildings of different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. The Bund was the centre of Shanghai’s politics, economy and culture in by-gone days. We visit the amazing 400 year old Yu Gardens. Following lunch we visit the amazing Shanghai Museum; noted as the best in China with a collection of over 123,000 cultural relics; it also includes a wonderful shop. We also tour the fabulous Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. This evening be overwhelmed at the magnificent view of new Shanghai whilst sipping our welcome cocktails and enjoying a delicious dinner at M on the Bund.

DAY 3: Saturday 16th March 2019: Shanghai: (B/L)

After breakfast, ‘bookworms’ gather at the Crystal Room at M on the Bund for Shanghai’s International Literary Festival.
OPTIONAL TOUR: Later this afternoon, you may wish to have a quiet evening or you may like to join us on another magical mystery tour and be in awe as you watch this ‘show case’ of talent’.

DAY 4: Sunday 17th March 2019: Shanghai: (B/L)

Again today we will join with others at the Shanghai International Literary Festival. This evening is at your leisure. OPTIONAL TOUR: After returning to the hotel, you may like to have a quiet evening or you may like to join us on another magical mystery tour including a panoramic view of Shanghai.

DAY 5: Monday 18th March 2019: Shanghai - Xian: (B/D)

Later this morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Xian. Xian is one of China’s oldest cities and is the starting point of the Silk Road and it possesses a rich mix of culture and people. On arrival, en route to the hotel, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, designed to house Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by a travelling monk. We then visit the Provincial History Museum.
This evening enjoy a traditional Dumpling Banquet.

DAY 6: Tuesday 19th March 2019: Xian: (B/L/D)

Today’s highlight is one of the most spectacular and memorable places in China and one of their most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. The tomb of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang being buried for over 2000 years; was unearthed accidentally in 1974 by farmers digging a well. This sight is truly a breath-taking experience. Lunch is at a famous local restaurant. This afternoon, we visit a special shop and later we explore the old city, an interesting fusion of both Middle Eastern and traditional Chinese architectural styles. We visit the Grand Mosque were you can enjoy a moment of reflection.
This evening, be entertained at the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.

DAY 7: Wednesday 20th March 2019: Xian - Hangzhou: (B)

Hangzhou is one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in China. It was considered to be the finest city on earth by Marco Polo with classical gardens and exquisite architecture that still hold the essence of China's Imperial Past. Take part in a tea ceremony, practice Tai Chi with a master on the lake side or take a peaceful gondola glide on the lake with a boat of musicians serenading you in your wake. You will leave Hangzhou at peace with yourself and ready to book your return trip!

DAY 8: Thursday 21st March 2019: Hangzhou: (B)

This morning we tour the famous West Lake area, dotted with gardens, temples and pagodas, the lake glistens against a curl of green hills.

DAY 9: Friday 22nd March 2019: Hangzhou - Shanghai: (B)

Later this morning we depart Hangzhou and travel on the 'Fast Train' to Shanghai. This evening is at your leisure

DAY 10: Saturday 23rd March 2019: Shanghai: (B/L)

After breakfast, ‘bookworms’ gather in the Glamour Bar at M on the Bund for Shanghai’s International Literary Festival.

DAY 11: Sunday 24th March 2019: Shanghai: (B/L)

Again today we will join with others at the Shanghai International Literary Festival.

DAY 12: Monday 25th March 2019: Depart Shanghai : (B)

Its time to say farewell to China and Shanghai.

You are more than welcome to continue your stay in China and join in a day tour to Suzhou and / or travel to Beijing.

Optional Tour to Suzhou.
It’s an early morning start; we drive to the Tongli, were we experience the charm of Tongli’s waterways. You will have free time to browse and buy some local specialties along the old streets, which are lined with Ming style homes and storefronts. Then it’s a short drive to Suzhou, famous for its silk and its UNESCO heritage listed classical Chinese Gardens. We will enjoy lunch before our private tour of one of these famous gardens. We then visit the Silk Museum and learn about silk manufacturing. This is followed by a visit to the Embroidery Institute. Both have an extensive range of silk products for sale.